Critical Care Newsline — December 23, 2009

Critical Care Newsline, the electronic newsletter from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, contains information selected just for you by our clinical practice experts. In each issue, you’ll find links to resources, research abstracts (individual sites may require registration and a fee to access complete articles) and Web sites that will keep you informed on issues affecting nurses and the nursing profession.

1. EVIDENCETight glycemic control increases mortality for ICU patientsTight glycemic control increases mortality for medical/surgical ICU patients who don’t receive parenteral nutrition states a meta-analysis of 11,425 patientspublished Dec. 16 in CHEST. Patients who receive nutrition based on current guidelines don’t benefit from tight control either, it notes.

3. NEWSSCCM launches FREE Web-based training program for non-ICU staffThe Society of Critical Care Medicine introduces a FREE Web-based training program to prepare non-intensivists to assist with care of critically ill patients including those with H1N1. Funded by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Washington, this comprehensive course provides information to allow participants to work in collaboration with and under the supervision of experienced critical care professionals. Healthcare professionals pay a $75 processing fee to apply “Critical Care Cross Training for Hospital-based non-ICU Health Care Professionals (CCXT)” toward continuing education credits. Access the program 24 hours per day.

5. NEWSCoalition for Patients’ Rights calls for broad access to healthcare providersOn Dec. 16, the Coalition for Patients’ Rights (CPR) called on lawmakers to resist aggressive lobbying tactics that restrict healthcare access to physician providers. CPR cites numerous studies that support the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare professionals, such as advanced practice nurses. AACN represents one of more than 35 healthcare organizations that belong to CPR. Learn more.

6. CALL TO ACTIONNightingale Initiative urges U.N. to declare 2010 ‘Year of Nurse’The Nightingale Initiative for Global Healthurges nurses to e-mail the United Nations General Assembly this month to adopt a resolution that declares 2010 the International Year of the Nurse. Read more.

7. NEWSAACN launches FREE Web-based HWE Team AssessmentAccess the new AACN Healthy Work Environment Team Assessment, a FREE Web-based tool that helps nurse managers and leaders align hospital unit performance with the AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments (HWEs). This online tool — developed with VitalSmarts, a provider of corporate training and organizational performance products and services in Provo, Utah — aligns the performance of any clinical environment, from single hospital units to entire healthcare organizations, with the six HWE standards. They include skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition and authentic leadership.

8. NEWSAACN offers FREE online, self-paced course, “Best Practices for Elder Care”Visit the AACN Web site to access “Best Practices for Elder Care,”a FREE online, self-paced course that addresses complex issues specific to older patients and promotes a healthy work environment. This Web-based resource includes four units each of instructional content and interactive case studies and a 17-question self-assessment unit. AACN members earn four FREE hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) for completing this program. Nonmembers pay a nominal charge for the four CNE hours.

10. AACN RESOURCESNEWSThis month’s AJCC OnlineFirst articles now availableThis month’s Publish Ahead of Print articles are now live on the American Journal of Critical Care Web site.Click the OnlineFirst logo to read a study that examines pediatric ICU nurses’ perceptions of obstacles and helpful behaviors for providing end-of-life care to children, and a study that describes the training, guidance and support related to withdrawal of life support received by nurses treating adult ICU patients. Both articles feature data from exclusive surveys of AACN members. Member log-in is required to read articles; abstracts are free access.

The CCRN Adult Self-Assessment Exam (SAE)for candidates planning to test after Jan. 13, 2010, can be purchased for $50. The newly revised SAE, based on the new CCRN Adult Test Plan, provides automatic rationale for correct and incorrect answers. Candidates can access the program up to 90 days from the date of purchase. The 60-item CCRN SAE may be used for study or toward renewal. Certificants who take the CCRN SAE and pass with a score of 70 percent or more earn 15 Category A Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) toward their next CCRN or PCCN renewal. The SAE offers CERPs, not CE credit. Technical requirements include a computer with Internet access, a Web browser (version 4.0 or greater), cookies enabled and a current e-mail account.

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